The Himalayas are in the world, the name of which literally means "the place where snow lives" in Sanskrit. Located in South Asia, this mountain range divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain and is where most of the points closest to the sky on planet Earth are located, including Everest, the highest point (the Himalayas are called "the roof of the world" for a reason). It is also known under a different name - Chomolungma.
Mountain ecology
Himalayan mountains are distinguished by a wide variety of landscape forms. The Himalayas lie on the territory of as many as five states: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan. Three large and powerful rivers- Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. The flora and fauna of the Himalayas is directly dependent on climate, precipitation, mountain heights and soil conditions.
The area around the foothills is characterized by a tropical climate, while the peaks are covered with eternal ice and snow. Annual precipitation increases from west to east. The unique natural heritage and the height of the Himalayan mountains are subject to change due to various climatic processes.
Geological features
Himalayas - mountains consisting mainly of sedimentary and mixed rocks... A distinctive feature of the mountain slopes is their steepness and summits in the form of a peak or ridge, covered with eternal ice and snow and occupying an area of about 33 thousand km². The Himalayas, which in some places reach almost nine kilometers, are relatively young compared to other, more ancient mountain systems of the Earth.
Like 70 million years ago, the Indian plate is still moving and moving up to 67 millimeters per year, and over the next 10 million years it will move 1.5 km in the Asian direction. What makes the peaks active from the point of view of geology is also the fact that the height of the Himalayan mountains increases, gradually increasing by about 5 mm per year. Such seemingly insignificant processes over time exert a powerful influence in geological terms, in addition, the region is unstable from a seismic point of view, sometimes earthquakes occur.
Himalayan river system
The Himalayas are the third largest deposits of ice and snow in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are about 15 thousand glaciers in the mountains, which contain about 12 thousand cubic kilometers. fresh water... Most high areas covered with snow all year round. Originating in Tibet, the Indus is the largest and deepest river, into which many small rivers flow. It flows southwestward through India, Pakistan and empties into the Arabian Sea.
The Himalayas, whose height reaches almost 9 kilometers at the highest point, are characterized by great river diversity. The main water sources of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin are the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Yamuna rivers. The Brahmaputra joins the Ganges in Bangladesh and together they flow into the Bay of Bengal.
Mountain lakes
The highest Himalayan lake, Gurudongmar in Sikkim (India), is located at an altitude of about 5 kilometers. In the vicinity of the Himalayas, there are a huge number of picturesque lakes, most of which are located at an altitude of less than 5 kilometers above sea level. Some lakes are considered sacred in India. Nepal Lake Tilicho in the vicinity of the mountainous landscapes of Annapurna is one of the highest in the world.
The great Himalayan mountain ranges contain hundreds of beautiful lakes throughout India and neighboring Tibet and Nepal. The Himalayan lakes give a special appeal to the magnificent mountain landscapes, many of them are covered with ancient legends and interesting stories.
Impact on climate
Himalayas render big influence on the formation of the climate. They obstruct the flow of cold dry winds southward, which allows a warm climate to reign in South Asia. A natural barrier to monsoons (causing heavy rainfall) is forming, preventing them from moving northward. The mountain range plays a certain role in the formation of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts.
The main part of the Himalayan mountains is influenced by subequatorial factors. In the summer and spring seasons, it is quite hot here: the average air temperature reaches 35 ° C. This time of year the monsoons bring with them a large number of precipitation from Indian Ocean, which then fall on the southern mountain slopes.
People and culture of the Himalayas
Due to the climatic features, the Himalayas (mountains in Asia) are a fairly sparsely populated region. Most people live in the lowlands. Some of them make their living as tour guides and escorts for climbers who come to conquer some of the mountain peaks. The mountains have been a natural barrier for thousands of years. They stopped the assimilation of the interior of Asia with the Indian peoples.
Some tribes based in mountain range Himalayas, namely in the territory of North-East India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, parts of West Bengal and others. More than 80 tribes live in Arunachal Pradesh alone. The Himalayan Mountains are one of the largest places in the world with big amount endangered animal species, as hunting is a very popular activity in the Himalayan region. The main religions are Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. The famous Himalayan myth is the story of the Bigfoot who lives somewhere in the mountains.
The height of the Himalayan mountains
The Himalayas rise almost 9 kilometers above sea level. They stretch for a distance of about 2.4 thousand kilometers from the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Some mountain peaks are considered sacred by the local population, and many Hindus and Buddhists make pilgrimages to these places.
On average, the height of the Himalayan mountains in meters, together with glaciers, reaches 3.2 thousand. Mountain climbing that gained popularity in late XIX century, has become the main activity of extreme tourists. In 1953, the Sherpas Tenzing Norgay from New Zealand were the first to conquer Mount Everest (the highest point).
Everest: the height of the mountain (Himalayas)
Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is the highest point on the planet. What is the height of the mountain? The Himalayas, famous for their hard-to-reach peaks, attract thousands of travelers, but their main goal is the Chomolungma, 8,848 kilometers high. This place is just a paradise for tourists who cannot imagine their life without risk and extreme.
The height of the Himalayan mountains attracts a large number of climbers from all over the world. As a rule, there are no significant technical difficulties with climbing certain routes, but Everest is fraught with many other dangerous factors, such as fear of heights, a sharp change weather conditions, lack of oxygen and a very strong gusty wind.
Scientists have established the exact height of each mountain system on the ground. This was made possible through the use of NASA's satellite observation system. Having measured the height of each mountain, we came to the conclusion that 10 of the 14 most on the planet are in the Himalayas. Each of these mountains belongs to a special list of "eight-thousanders". The conquest of all these peaks is considered the peak of the climber's skill.
Natural features of the Himalayas at different levels
The Himalayan swampy jungle, located at the foot of the mountains, is called "terai" and is characterized by a wide variety of vegetation. Here you can find 5-meter thickets of grass, palm trees with coconuts, ferns and bamboo thickets. At an altitude of 400 meters to 1.5 kilometers, there is a strip of wet forests. In addition to numerous tree species, magnolias, citrus fruits and camphor laurel grow here.
At a higher level (up to 2.5 km), the mountainous space is filled with evergreen subtropical and deciduous forests, here you can find mimosa, maple, bird cherry, chestnut, oak, wild cherry, alpine mosses. Coniferous forests stretch up to a height of 4 km. At this height, the trees are becoming less and less, they are replaced by field vegetation in the form of grass and shrubs.
Starting at 4.5 km above sea level, the Himalayas are an area of eternal glaciers and snow cover. Animal world also varied. V different parts In the mountainous surroundings one can encounter bears, elephants, antelopes, rhinos, monkeys, goats and many other mammals. It is home to many snakes and reptiles, which are a great danger to humans.
The Himalayas are the highest mountain system on Earth. To date, the summit of Chomolungma (Everest) has already been conquered about 1200 times. A 60-year-old man and a thirteen-year-old teenager managed to climb to the very peak, and in 1998 the first person with disabilities conquered the summit.
The most majestic and mysterious mountain range on our planet is the Himalayas. This massif, whose name translates as the abode of snow, conditionally divides the Central and South Asia And the height of its individual peaks reaches more than 8,000 meters. The Himalayas are rightfully considered the most high mountains in the world, consider the Himalayas on a map and find out why these mountains are so unusual.
The location of the Himalaya mountain system on the world map
“Where are the Himalayan mountains, in which country” - this question often arises among novice travelers who have heard about the beauty of the most inaccessible mountains of the planet and decided to go there in search of adventure. Looking at the world map, you can see that the Himalayas are located in the northern hemisphere between the Tibetan plateau and the Indo-Gangetic plain. India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh are the countries whose territories cover the Himalayas. The most visited country in the Himalayas is India. There are many attractions and resorts here. The massif is 2,900 km long and about 350 km wide. The mountain system has 83 peaks, the highest of which is Everest, the height of the mountain is 8848 m.
The Himalayan mountains on the map consist of three main stages:
- Sivalik ridge. This is the southernmost part of the mountain range. The ridge is located in Nepal and affects several states in India. Here the height of the Himalayan mountains does not exceed 2 km.
- Small Himalayas. This ridge stretches parallel to the Sivalik ridge. The average height here is 2.5 km.
- Greater Himalayas. This is the highest and oldest part of the mountain range. The height of the ridge exceeds 8 km, and it is here that the most high peaks planets.
Highest peaks
The mountain range contains 9 of the 10 highest peaks in the world. Here are the tallest ones:
- Chomolungma - 8848 m.
- Kanchenjunga - 8586 m.
- Lhotse - 8516 m.
- Makalu - 8463 m.
- Cho-Oyu - 8201 m.
Most of them are located on the territory of Tibet, and it is here that mountain conquerors from all over the planet rush, because climbing the highest peaks is the work of a real climber's life.
Flora and fauna
The flora of the Himalayas changes with altitude. The natural features of the Himalayas at different levels amaze with the change of landscapes, animals and flora... In the foothills of the small Himalayas, terai or swampy jungles prevail, above them are replaced by tropical forests, then mixed, coniferous, and finally, alpine meadows appear. On northern slopes deserts and semi-deserts prevail. The fauna of the Himalayas is as diverse as the flora. Here you can still see wild tigers, rhinos, elephants and monkeys, and when you climb higher, the risk of meeting a bear, mountain yak and snow leopard increases.
In the mountains, spectacular Nepal is located a unique nature reserve, where endangered species of animals are still preserved. The zone is under the protection of UNESCO. Mount Everest is located on the territory of this reserve.
Rivers and lakes
It is in the Himalayas that the three largest rivers of South Asia originate. These include Brahmaputra and Indus. Moreover, the mountain range has many beautiful and cleanest lakes. The highest mountain is Lake Tilicho, located at an altitude of 4919 m.
The special pride of the Himalayas is, of course, the glaciers. By the amount of fresh water reserves mountain range bypassed only the Arctic and Antarctic. The largest glacier here is the Gantotri layer, which reaches 26 km in length.
When is it good in the Himalayas?
According to travelers, it is always good in the Himalayas. Each season of the year gives the slopes of this ridge unique landscapes, the beauty of which is simply impossible to tell in words. In spring, the slopes are strewn with beautiful flowers, the aroma of which spreads for many kilometers, in the summer, during the rainy season, lush greenery makes its way through a light fog and gives freshness and coolness, autumn riots with colors, and in winter, when snow falls, there is no place cleaner and whiter in the world.
Basic tourist season falls in the autumn months, but in winter there are many ski lovers here, because in the Himalayas there are many ski resorts of global importance.
Himalayas. View from space
Himalayas - "abode of the snows", hindi.
Geography
Himalayas - the highest mountain system in the world, located in Asia (India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan), between the Tibetan plateau (in the north) and the Indo-Gangetic plain (in the south). The Himalayas stretch from 73 ° E in the northwest to 95 ° E in the southeast. The total length is more than 2400 km, the maximum width is 350 km. The average height is about 6000 m. The height is up to 8848 m (Mount Everest), 11 peaks are more than 8 thousand meters.
The Himalayas are divided into three steps from south to north.
- Southern, lower step (Pre-Himalayas). Sivalik mountains, they are the Dundva, Chouriagati ranges (average height 900 m), Sola-Singi, Potvarskoe plateau, Kala-Chitta and Margala. The width of the step ranges from 10 to 50 km, the height is not more than 1000 m.
Kathmandu Valley
- Small Himalayas, second stage. Vast highlands 80 - 100 km wide, average height - 3500 - 4000 m.The maximum height is 6500 m.
It includes a part of the Kashmir Himalayas - Pir Panjal (Kharamush - 5142 m).
Between the marginal ridge of the second stage, called Dauladar "White Mountains"(average height - 3000 m) and the Main Himalayas at an altitude of 1350 - 1650 m lie the valleys of Srinagar (Kashmir Valley) and Kathmandu.
- The third stage is the Great Himalayas. This step is highly dissected and forms a large chain of ridges. The maximum width is 90 km, the height is 8848 m. The average height of the passes reaches 4500 m, some exceed 6000 m. The Greater Himalayas are subdivided into Assam, Nepal, Kumaon and Punjab Himalayas.
- The main Himalayan ridge. The average height is 5500 - 6000 m. Here, on the site between the Sutlej and Arun rivers, there are eight out of ten Himalayan eight-thousanders.
Behind the gorge of the Arun River Main ridge Jonsang peak (7459 m) goes down a little, a branched spur with the Kanchenjunga massif departs from it to the south, four peaks of which exceed the height of 8000 m (maximum height - 8585 m).
Between the Indus and Sutlej, the Main Ridge divides into the Western Himalayas and the Northern Ridge.
- Northern ridge. In the northwestern part it is called Deosai, and in the southeastern part - Zanskar ("white copper") (the highest point is Kamet peak, 7756 m). To the north is the Indus Valley, behind which in the north is the Karakorum mountain system.
One of the most famous miraculous wonders of the world are the Himalayan mountains. The point is not only in the scale of this creation of nature, but also in the huge amount of unknown that these gigantic peaks are fraught with.
Where are the Himalayas?
The Himalayan mountain range passes through the territory of five states - this is India, China, Pakistan, Nepal and the Kingdom of Bhutan... The eastern foothills of the ridge touch the northern borders of the Republic of Bangladesh.
Mountain ranges rise in the north, completing the Tibetan Plateau, and separating from it the vast areas of the Indian Peninsula - the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Even the average height of the entire mountain system reaches 6 thousand meters. It is in the Himalayas that the bulk of the "eight-thousanders" are located - mountain peaks, the height of which exceeds the mark of 8 kilometers. Of the 14 such peaks on the surface of the planet, 10 are located in the Himalayas.
Himalayas mountains on the map
Himalayas on world map
The highest and inaccessible mountains of the planet are the Himalayas. The name comes from ancient Indian Sanskrit, and literally means "Snow abode"... They settled down in a giant loop on the continent, serving as a kind of border between Central and South Asia. The length of the mountain ranges from west to east is slightly less than 3 thousand km, and the total area of the entire mountain system is about 650 thousand square meters. km.
The entire mountain range of the Himalayas consists of three peculiar steps:
- The first one is Pre-Himalayas(local name - Shivalik ridge) is the lowest of all, the mountain peaks of which do not rise more than 2000 meters.
- The second stage - the Dhaoladhar, Pir-Panjal and several other, smaller ranges are called Small Himalayas... The name is rather arbitrary, since the peaks are already rising to solid heights - up to 4 kilometers.
- Behind them are several fertile valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu and others), serving as a transition to the highest points of the planet - Greater Himalayas... Two great South Asian rivers - Brahmaputra from the east and Indus from the west, seem to embrace this majestic mountain range, originating on its slopes. In addition, the Himalayas give life to the sacred Indian river - the Ganges.
Mount Chomolungma, aka Everest
The most high point the world, located on the border of Nepal and China - Mount Chomolungma... However, it has several names and some variation in the assessment of its height. The names of this mountain peak in local dialects they have always associated with the divinity of its origin: Chomolungma in Tibetan, literally - "Divine", in Nepal it is called "Mother of the Gods" - Sagarmatha. There is another beautiful Tibetan name - "Mother - Queen of Snow-White Snows" - Chomo-Kankar. For Europeans, these names were too complicated, and in 1856 they named the mountain an anglicized name. Everest, in honor of the head of the British Colonial Survey, Sir George Everest.
Official today the height of Everest - 8,848 meters, taking into account the ice cap and 8844 meters is the top of hard rock. But these indicators changed several times in one direction or another. So, the first measurement, taken in the middle of the 19th century, showed 29,000 feet (8,839 meters). However, the scientist surveyors did not like the too round number, and they freely added another 2 feet, which gave a value of 8840 m.The measurements continued a century later, when the height was determined at 8848 m.However, several geographers carried out their own calculations using the most modern radio direction finding and navigation. So two more values appeared - 8850 and even 8872 meters. However, these values were not officially recognized.
Himalayan records
The Himalayas are a place of pilgrimage for the world's strongest climbers, for whom the conquest of their peaks is a cherished life goal. Chomolungma did not immediately submit - since the beginning of the last century, many attempts were made to climb the "roof of the world". The first who managed to achieve this goal was in 1953 New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary accompanied by a local guide - Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. The first successful Soviet expedition took place in 1982. In total, Everest has been conquered about 3700 times..
Unfortunately, they set the Himalayas and sad records - 572 climbers killed while trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes is not decreasing, because the “capture” of all 14 “eight-thousanders” and the receipt of the “Crown of the Earth” is the cherished dream of each of them. The total number of “crowned” winners to date is 30, including 3 women.
Ski resorts in India
The northern mountainous regions of India are a completely unique world, with their own philosophy and spirituality, ancient shrines and historical monuments, colorful population and diversity natural landscapes... Any traveler will always find a lot of interesting things here.
Gulmarg (Valley of Flowers)
This resort is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The height of the slopes is 1400-4138 m. Gulmarg was built in 1927 by the British, when they were “visiting” India, so it practically corresponds to European standards. The season here starts at the end of December and ends at the end of March.... They give out the appropriate equipment, so beginners should be comfortable enough, if, of course, they are not afraid of steep descents.
Narkanda
A small ski tourist center located not far from Shimla city at an altitude of about 2400 meters, surrounded by a relic pine forest... Its snowy slopes are perfect for beginners and experienced skiers alike.
Solang
A fairly well-known place in ski circles extreme rest. It is famous for its well-developed infrastructure, both sports and tourism. All who have visited these places always leave excellent reviews about the level of training of the coaching and service personnel of the resort.
Kufri
One of the most famous Indian ski tourist centers... It is located just two dozen kilometers from Shimla city, which for many years was the seat of the English Viceroy of India. Kufri is also remarkable for the fact that a huge natural National Park Himalayan nature, where the wide variety of wild flora and fauna of these places is carefully preserved. Climbing up the slopes of the mountains, tourists manage to visit several climatic zones - from the thriving tropics to the harsh conditions of the northern latitudes.
Historical and cultural sights of the Himalayas
For those who prefer to devote their time to getting to know historical sites and cultural treasures, the Indian region of the Himalayas will provide these opportunities.
First of all, in these places, as already mentioned, was the summer residence of the English governor in India - the viceroy. That is why the little village Shimla turned into a city - the state capital of Himchal Pradesh... The famous museum located in Royal Palace, is replete with exhibits showing the cultural diversity of the region. Shimla is famous for its bazaar with traditional woolen products for these places, national Indian clothes, handmade jewelry made by ancient technology... As a rule, a horse excursion through the surrounding picturesque mountains does not leave anyone indifferent.
Tourists love India. Read - Russians come there most often for the winter.
The discovery of India is the merit of the Portuguese. in another article.
Dharamsala for Buddhists, probably the same as Mecca for Muslims. Travelers come across here with the hospitality of the local population unprecedented anywhere else in the world. This small town is the seat of the Dalai Lama himself, who brought his Tibetan people here after years of exile.
Visit the Indian Himalayas, and not visit the estate of Nicholas Roerich- unforgivable for a Russian! It is located in the town of Naggar, near the city of Manali. In addition to the environment in which the painter's family lived, visitors will see a large collection of original works by this great author.
State capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Shinagan city- another center of tourist pilgrimage. According to some theories, it was here that Jesus Christ found his last refuge. Travelers will definitely be shown the tomb of Yuz Asuf - a person identified with the Son of God. In the same city, you can see unique floating houses - houseboats... Probably no one left here without purchasing products from the famous Kashmir wool as a souvenir.
Spiritual and health tourism
Spiritual principles and the cult of a healthy body are so closely intertwined in various directions of Indian philosophical schools that it is impossible to draw any visible division between them. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the Indian Himalayas just to get acquainted with Vedic sciences, ancient postulates Yoga teachings, improving your body by Ayurvedic canons Panchakarma.
The pilgrims' program necessarily includes visiting caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, bathing in the Ganges- a sacred river for Hindus. The afflicted can hold conversations with spiritual mentors, receive parting words and recommendations from them for spiritual and bodily cleansing. However, this topic is so vast and versatile that it requires a separate detailed presentation.
The natural grandeur and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas captivates the human imagination. Anyone who has at least once touched the splendor of these places will always be obsessed with the dream of returning here at least once more.
Enchanting time-lapse video of the unshakable Himalayas
This video was shot frame by frame with a Nikon D800 camera for 50 days over 5000 km. Places in India: Spiti Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Leh, Zanskar, Kashmir.
